Lowe's spent $215,000 lobbying in Q1

Washington, D.C. Lowe's Cos. spent $215,000 in the first quarter to lobby the federal government on rebates for energy-efficient products and other issues, according to a disclosure report.

That's down 68% from the $680,000 Lowe's spent in last year's first quarter, and more than triple the $65,000 it spent in fourth quarter 2009.

Lowe's also lobbied the federal government on legislation involving the elimination of a secret ballot in unionization elections, carbon-dioxide monitors in the home, a suspension of tariffs on imported ceiling fans, 0% financing credit programs, and other issues, according to the report filed April 20.